New York - New York

The Statue of Liberty

The universal symbol of freedom and democracy, the Statue of Liberty was the first sight to be seen by the 12 million immigrants who passed through the Ellis Island Immigration Centre. Sculpted by Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi and modelled on the Colossus of Rhodes, the statue was donated by the people of France in 1886 to commemorate the alliance between the two countries during the American Revolution. Visitors can climb the 354 steps to the statue's crown for a view over New York Harbour – the equivalent of a 22-story building. For those contemplating the climb it’s best to get there early as heightened security measures have made the queues worse than ever.

Address: New York Harbour;

Telephone: (212) 363 3200; (212) 269 5755 (ferry information);

Website: www.nps.gov/stli;

Transport: Circle Line Statue of Liberty Ferry from South Ferry at Battery Park to Liberty and Ellis islands; Opening time: Daily 9.30am-5pm. The park service occasionally closes off the line to the crown as early as 2pm. First ferry leaves at 8.45am;

Admission: Free; ferry $8 round-trip

World Trade Center - Ground Zero

The six-hectare (16-acre) work site that has emerged from the rubble of the twin towers has come to symbolise the dreadful events of September 11, 2001 when almost 3,000 people lost their lives. The 1,350ft (411m) World Trade Centre towers were the tallest buildings in New York and symbols of the city’s skyline. Millions now come to pay tribute at the site and witness the devastation from one of the viewing sites. In April 2003, the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation launched a worldwide competition to design a memorial at the World Trade Center site to honor the victims September 11. The LMDC received 5,201 memorial design submissions from 63 nations and 49 states making this the largest design competition in history. In November 2003, the LMDC opened an exhibition at the Winter Garden at the World Financial Center of eight finalist designs for the World Trade Center Site Memorial Competition.

Address: Lower Manhattan, viewing area at Liberty Street and Broadway;

Telephone: (212) 732 7678 (ticket information);

Website: www.renewnyc.com;

Transport: Take the subway to Fulton Street, Broadway-Nassau Street or Cortlandt Street. Walk to Church and Liberty Streets and follow signs.;

Opening time: The Winter Garden is open to the public from 7 am to 11 pm daily.;

Admission: Free.